Busia MCAs Mwajuma Toloi, Benard Papa and Grace Olita at the County Assembly on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. [Photo|Busia County Government]
MCAs in Busia County want girl-child accorded enough protection to reduce challenges leading to massive school dropouts, increased pregnancies and other ills afflicting them.
Speaking in Busia as the country marked the International girl-child day, the MCAs said discrimination meted on the girl-child should stop to enable them realize their cherished dreams.
Nambale Township MCA Mwajuma Toloyi, said many teenage pregnancies were attributed to long distance that makes girl-child fall prey to boda boda riders who induce them with cash token.
"The County government should reduce the distance of ECDE classrooms to less than a kilometer and pupils availed with plastic chairs to motivate them into working hard."
Angurai South MCA Grace Olita, said girl child are kind hearted but most of them get married and end up becoming housewives despite scoring C+ in KCSE. She urged women representative to use affirmative fund to save such girls.
Marachi East MCA Julius Ochou, said girl child are most clever in class, confident and are good managers devoid of corruption and pride.
Malaba Central Ward MCA Bernard Papa, urged parents to take of girl child and not discriminate them. He singled out border towns of Busia and Malaba where track drivers are a menace if girl child are left on the loose.
On her part Busia County Coordinator Children Services Esther Wasige, said the department was according girl child with utmost protection by taking care of those who fall victim torture and other ills and to pay fees for them.
Speaking Wednesday, Wasige said children who lack custody of their parents continue to rise in the county with 149 reported cases in the first quarter between June and September 2017.
Those lost and found were second with 37 cases with orphaned and abandoned children coming third and fourth with 28 and 23 reported cases respectively.
She thanked Busia County Government for contributing immensely towards the girl child by constructing the Child Protection Centre which will be a one stop shop to handle issues affecting children.